Why Your Bank Thinks Someone Stole Your Credit Card
Banks issue fraud alerts and freeze accounts if they think a credit card has been stolen -- which can be annoying when they're wrong. But what sets off their warning bells?
Credit card fraud
ATM Viruses Are Out to Steal Your Cash
Some of the world's largest banks, including Chase, Capital One and Citibank, have been hit by malware intended to steal payment card data.
Feds: 18 Charged in $200 Million Global Credit Card Fraud
Eighteen people have been charged in what may be one of the nation's largest credit card fraud rings, a sprawling international scam that duped credit rating agencies and used thousands of fake identities to steal at least $200 million.
Family Fraud: When Mom Steals Your Identity
Identity theft is bad enough when it's a stranger committing the crime. But it gets even more complicated when the perpetrator is a relative. And that scenario is far more common than you might guess.
Identity Thief Accidentally Sends Victims His Loot
A tip for identity thieves: When you buy a bunch of pricey merchandise with a stolen card number, make sure you don't ship the loot to your victims. That's evidently what happened to one Alaska couple. First their debit card was hacked to the tune of $5,000. Then, the packages began arriving.
Why Your Credit Card Needs an International Upgrade: The EMV Chip
When you're traveling abroad, the last thing you might be worried about is whether your credit card will speak the native language, but because U.S. cards lack a certain key bit of technology, many times, they won't. But in some cases, that will soon be changing.
Your Secret Weapon in Merchant Disputes: The Chargeback
Credit cards can protect you against fraudulent charges, and some can bag you cash-back rewards. But perhaps the best thing about paying with a credit card is that in the event of a dispute with a merchant, it provides the ultimate ace up your sleeve: the chargeback.
Credit Card Banks Complain About Consumer Complaint Database
On Tuesday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launched its public Consumer Complaint Database, an open forum for consumers to call out credit card providers for their ill behaviors. the banks' response: Hey, no fair!
Identity Thieves Are Targeting Our Kids! What Parents Must Know
Why did banks give this little girl credit cards, home mortgages, and car and boat loans? And how did she keep getting them after defaulting time and time again? The answers should be a warning for every parent in America.
Disney World Scammers Scored Four Years of Free Vacations
A trio of Florida men have been charged with running an elaborate free vacation scheme in the "Happiest Place on Earth," Disney World. Joseph Geiger, Robert Falk and Steven Nero allegedly spent four years living off the land in Mickey Mouse's backyard.
4 Smart Steps to Stymie the Scammers and Snoopers
It's easier than ever for con artists to swipe your sensitive financial information -- and then use it to decide if you're a good target for a scam. But the war isn't lost: Consider these easy strategies to protect yourself.
Millions of Dead People Get Identities Stolen
Just because you're dead doesn't mean you can't be robbed. Identity thieves steal the personal information of about 2.4 million deceased Americans each year to apply for credit cards, cell phones and anything else requiring a credit check.
America's 10 Worst States for Fraud
When times are hard, fraud often gets worse. Americans are under great financial pressure, and there is no shortage of criminals waiting to take advantage of it. 24/7 Wall St. examined the 10 states that had the most per-capita fraud complaints.
'Massive' Credit Card Data Breach Involves All Major Brands
A data breach at a payments processing firm has potentially compromised credit and debit card information from all of the major card brands.
Phishers Are Getting Smarter, But So Are E-Cops
Traditional phishing -- where hackers attempt to acquire personal data from individuals in hopes of defrauding them -- is bad enough. But even more alarming is the rise of a new kind of attack: "spear phishing."
Spotting Financial Scammers: A Guide to Common Cons
Even as many Americans struggle to make ends meet, scammers are plotting all sorts of sneaky ways to rob them of their money -- and in millions of cases, they succeed. When it comes to these cons, the best offense is a smart defense, so here's an intro course in how to spot the latest scams.
Keeping Your Credit Card Numbers Safe
With all the hackers in the headlines, you might be feeling more hesitant to offer up your credit card numbers while shopping online. Virtual credit card numbers offer one possible solution. But don't expect them to be infallible.
The Truth About ID Theft Protection Services
With identity theft on the rise, more consumers are actively seeking ways to protect themselves. New companies have sprung up to address their fears, but how well do they really work?
A Whistleblower Blasts Chase Credit Card Practices
Linda Almonte, a former employee of JPMorgan Chase who is suing the bank for wrongful termination, has upped the ante by filing a whistleblower complaint with the SEC. She's alleging grotesque and illegal practices with Chase credit card accounts.
